Parksville Activities and Area Attractions

Brant Wildlife Festival

The annual Brant Wildlife Festival celebrates nature, particularly the arrival of Brant geese on the shores of Parksville and Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island, and encourages people of all ages to get outside and enjoy their beautiful natural surroundings.

Events range from Spring Break Nature Camps for kids, to wildlife viewing opportunities and guest speakers across Parksville, Qualicum Beach, as well as surrounding areas. 

Contact Phone: 1.866.288.7878
Website: brantfestival.bc.ca

This festival is coordinated by The Nature Trust of British Columbia in collaboration with many community groups and volunteers.
Photo credit: Angie Ooms

Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours

Established in 1999, Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours offers a variety of unique tours on Vancouver Island BC Canada, providing outstanding quality nature tours, eco tours, sightseeing tours and wine tours. Our tours are year-round, fully narrated, easy walking half day and full day Vancouver Island excursions for nature, sightseeing, rainforest, big trees, alpine, wildlife viewing, tide pool, forest bathing, cultural, eco tours and very special wine tours with experienced knowledgeable guides. Shuttle service, charters, wedding shuttles and large group excursions are also available.

http://rainforestnaturehikes.com/
250-248-3667

Sea Kayaking

Sweeping mountain vistas across the Salish Sea, islands to explore, curious harbour seals, colourful seastars and boisterous sea lions are all here waiting for you.  Experience the grandeur of kayaking right off our own Vancouver Island shores!
 

Sea Adventuress Rentals and Tours

Adventuress is based in Parksville and is open from February to October with lots of opportunities to kayak. No kayaking experience is necessary.

All tours include instruction, safety orientation, kayaks, Canadian Coast Guard regulation gear, dry bags for your camera, lunch and extra clothes and experienced, personable, certified guides. Spectacular scenery is free!!

Jan Kretz, BTM
Owner, Certified Kayak Guide & Instructor
1-866-955-6702
adventuress.ca

Horne Lake Caves

Located 45 minutes from Tigh-Na-Mara, Horne Lake features crystal-clear water and two spectacular parks. Outdoor lovers can experience Vancouver Island’s coolest adventures like exploring caves, kayaking, canoeing, rock-climbing or the Challenge Obstacle Course. Choose from easy family cavern tours to a three hour Spelunking Adventure or, the more challenging four and five hour tours featuring a rappel down a seven storey underground waterfall!

hornelake.com

Milner Gardens & Woodlands

Stroll the winding pathways and magical surroundings of an ancient coastal Douglas Fir forest. Find peace and tranquility as you meander the woodland gardens lined with rhododendrons, cyclamen and trilliums. Enjoy a traditional English tea service while you contemplate the history of the house where the Queen once stayed. Milner Gardens & Woodlands are located in nearby Qualicum Beach.

Open April to mid October

https://www2.viu.ca/milnergardens/

Mount Washington

Home of the deepest snow pack in North America, Mount Washington is famous for its snow, receiving an average of more than 35ft annually! Combine that with amazing 360° degree Alpine to Ocean views and you have one of the best skiing or snowboarding experiences worldwide. Mount Washington is located less than a one hour drive from Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Courtney-Comox. If visiting Parksville during the summer, try biking Mount Washington.

mountwashington.ca

Eagle Wing Tours

Rated Victoria’s #1 whale watching company on Trip Advisor since 2007, Eagle Wing Tours guarantees adventure and the most transformative marine experiences on the Salish Sea. With four vessels, multiple daily departures and knowledgeable and passionate staff, Eagle Wing Tours consistently provides guests with the marine wildlife experience of a lifetime! Environmental stewardship and sustainability are core values of the family-owned, award-winning company. Eagle Wing Tours is Canada’s first 100% carbon-neutral whale-watching company and is certified Platinum with Sustainable Tourism 2030. They are proud to support 1% for the Planet and many other conservation initiatives that directly benefit the Salish Sea and its inhabitants. Click here to receive a 10% discount on your tour!

"You’ll come as a tourist but return with a deeper
understanding and passion for this incredible ecosystem".

Deep Bay Marine Field Station

The Deep Bay Marine Field Station supports both pure and applied coastal and marine research activities related to: sustainable shellfish aquaculture development; preservation of coastal ecosystems; and inter-disciplinary projects involving local communities. We also open up the Field Station to the public so that we can educate about important issues related to sustainability of coastal communities.

https://www2.viu.ca/deepbay/
250-740-6611

North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre

Nestled in the district of Errington on Vancouver Island, NIWRA is a park like setting with a peaceful rustic atmosphere. When visiting the centre you will be able to view eagles, several species of owls, falcons, hawks, ravens, and black bears.

During the summer months, live raptor presentations are available for you.

The centre is a world class wildlife rehabilitation facility specializing in raptors and black bear. Magnificent eagles can be viewed through one way glass in the largest flight cage if its kind in Canada.

http://www.niwra.org/
250-248-8534

Parksville Museum

The museum's primary mandate is to collect, preserve, and display artifacts and archival materials that pertain to the varied aspects of this area. The museum has an expansive collection of objects that help us illustrate the lives and activities of early settlers, organizations and businesses of the local communities.

http://parksvillemuseum.ca/
250-248-6966

Qualicum Beach Museum

QBM is a community-run Museum featuring an extensive and renowned Paleontology Exhibit as well as the Social History of the town of Qualicum Beach and area.

The Museum’s Paleontology Exhibit is recognized as one of world-class stature by paleontologists. The collection is curated by internationally known biologist and collector, Graham Beard, in conjunction with the Vancouver Island Paleontological Museum Society.

Our social history exhibits chronicle Pioneer living at the turn of the century and also features First Nations Culture. A grand mural by local artists depicting the Town’s early days brings alive the unique character of Qualicum as it developed through the years.

http://www.qbmuseum.ca/
250-752-5533

The Old School House Arts Centre

The mandate of The Old School House Arts Centre is to foster a vibrant arts centre that promotes and encourages the development of multi-dimensional artists and musicians for the enjoyment of all ages, residents and visitors alike, in Qualicum Beach and throughout central Vancouver Island.

http://www.theoldschoolhouse.org/
250-752-6133

Morningstar Farm

Home to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and Mooberry Winery, Morningstar Farm serves as a local-food hub and premier agri-food destination for Oceanside and beyond.

Here, you’ll find a variety of hand-crafted artisan cheese made with the high quality milk of our happy dairy cows. Our fruit winery uses local fruits to create that perfect pairing.

See a real dairy farm up close and personal, watch the cheesemakers at work through the window, and taste the end result in our farmgate store! Morningstar Farm is a working heritage dairy farm and home to Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and MooBerry Winery. There’s always something going on, and we are open year-round!

Some activities you can enjoy on your visit with us: Take a self-guided tour; Stroll through the trails; Stay for a picnic; Wander through the barns and check out the animals – calves, pigs, goats, sheep, bunnies and the donkey; Stop in at the Farmgate Store for samples of our cheese and wine products and browse the unique giftware selection; Chat with our wine maker and learn about our fruit wines; Watch the cheese makers in action Open 7 days a week from 9am – 5pm

http://www.morningstarfarm.ca/
250-954-3931

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park - 347 hectares

Adjacent to Tigh-Na-Mara, sits one of British Columbia's most beautiful provincial parks.  Majestic old growth trees, beautiful ocean sunsets and an inviting, wide sandy beach with campsites nestled amongst mature Douglas fir trees makes Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville one of the premier vacation destinations on Vancouver Island.

At low tide the ocean recedes almost a kilometre, providing an ideal place for visitors of all ages to play in the sand and explore the shoreline. When the tide rolls in over the sun-baked sand, the warmed water is unbeatable for swimming and salt water fun.

Rathtrevor Beach is ideal for a relaxed family outing. Simply sit back and soak up the seaside atmosphere or take a walk through the wooded upland area of the park.

Bird watching is also a popular activity at the park, particularly in the spring when large numbers of seabirds congregate for the annual herring spawn. During March and April, Rathtrevor Beach is also one of the best spots on the Island to view the migrating Brant Geese.

Cathedral Grove

Cathedral Grove, located in MacMillan Provincial Park, is one of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island. Here visitors can stroll through a network of trails under the shadow of towering ancient Douglas-fir trees, majestic pillars untouched by the modern world – some more than 800 years old.  Cathedral grove is approximately 35 minutes from Tigh-Na-Mara.

Englishman River Falls

Situated along the pristine Englishman River approximately 20 minutes from Tigh-Na-Mara, Englishman River Falls Provincial Park features two stunning waterfalls cascading along the descending riverbed into a deep canyon.

This picturesque destination, set amid a lush old-growth and second-growth forest of Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock and maple, is an ideal location from which to explore and appreciate the incredible diversity of south central Vancouver Island, including nearby Cathedral Grove, the Pacific Rim, and the sandy shores of Parksville and Qualicum.

The park has a large day-use area and campground and contains several hiking trails that meander through the forest and along the river. Visitors can expect spectacular views along the way, particularly from two bridges that cross the river where it plunges down the narrow rock canyon toward quieter waters below. The lower falls end in a deep crystal-clear pool – an ideal swimming hole in the summer when river levels are low and a great place to view spawning salmon in the fall.

Little Qualicum Falls

A favourite destination on Vancouver Island is Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, which straddles the Little Qualicum River and incorporates the entire southern shore of Cameron Lake.  The park is located approximately 25 minutes from Tigh-Na-Mara.

Impressive waterfalls cascade down a rocky gorge in a beautiful forested setting bordered by steep mountain peaks at this park, one of the most beautiful parks on central Vancouver Island. The falls, lake swimming, shaded riverside trails and picnic facilities make Little Qualicum Falls a very popular family recreation destination. A number of walking trails are available in and around the park, offering picturesque views of the river and providing access to the upper and lower falls.

Cameron Lake is an ideal spot for swimming and fishing, as well as sail boarding, due to a wind funnel created by the surrounding mountains.

Fairwinds Golf Club

Set within a masterplanned oceanfront community, Fairwinds Golf Club has established itself as one of Vancouver Island’s finest courses. The natural beauty of Fairwinds will change your state of mind and possibly your state of play. Fairwinds is located less than 10 minutes from Parksville in nearby Nanoose Bay.

3730 Fairwinds Drive,
Nanoose Bay, BC V9P 9J6
Tel: 250-468-7666
fairwinds.ca

Morningstar Golf Course

Set within a masterplanned oceanfront community, Fairwinds Golf Club has

The course layout of Morningstar combines mesmerizing views that provide challenges and variety for golfers of all abilities. Course architect Les Furber integrated this 7018 yard layout link-style beginning with many natural areas preserved to add drama and excitement. Golfers will encounter undulations on several fairways and can anticipate well placed bunkers throughout the course. As well Morningstar’s superbly conditioned greens are just as sensational, promising a true roll. Morningstar is a course that golfers will love round after round. Morningstar is located a short 10 minute drive from the Resort in Qualicum Beach.

525 Lowry’s Road
Parksville, BC V9P 2R8
Tel: 250-248-2244
morningstargolf.com

Eaglecrest Golf Course

Eaglecrest Golf Club is located in beautiful Qualicum Beach, just 12 minutes from Tigh-Na-
Mara. Established in 1971, Eaglecrest is one of the oldest golf courses in the area. This 18 hole championship golf course offers lush fairways and towering evergreen trees.

2035 Island Highway
Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1G1
Tel: (250) 752-6311
eaglecrestgolfclub.ca

Pheasant Glen

Pheasant Glen is one of five golf courses on Vancouver Island to measure over 6900 yards from its Championship tees. The experience is second to none with lush fairways, fast greens and a complete warm up area with one practice green dedicated for pitching and bunker practice, another for putting and a full length driving range. 15 minutes from Tigh-Na-Mara Resort.

1025 Qualicum Road
Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1M5
Tel: 250-752-8786
pheasantglen.com

Coastal Island Fishing Adventures

Coastal Island Fishing Adventures is a year round saltwater fishing operation based out of Campbell River, British Columbia (approx 1 hour drive from Tigh-Na-Mara). There are five species of salmon that migrate through these waters at different times of the season, so there is ample opportunity to catch a variety of species in the same day. The abundance of wildlife in the area is incredible from Orcas (killer whales), seals, sea lions to porpoises and Pacific white side dolphins. Don’t forget to bring your camera! 

coastalislandfishing.com
1-888-225-9776

Invictus Charters

Come aboard Invictus Charters – with Captain Gerry – and enjoy some of the finest fishing Vancouver Island has to offer.  Leaving from Nanaimo or Port Alberni (approx 30-45 mins from Tigh-Na-Mara), you will fish for salmon, halibut, crab & prawns!  Families with children, corporate groups and individuals all welcome.

invictuscharters.com 
250-667-3474

Last Cast Guiding

Pat Ahern and team have many decades of fishing experience that we offer our guests. Our Guides are Transport Canada safety certified and are CTAG certified. We operate Grady White charter vessels, which are Transport Canada Safety certified, and equipped with washrooms. We have a passion for sharing our fishery with guests and creating adventures that will leave lasting memories.

lastcastguiding.com
1-866-968-4665 or 250-954-8060

Campbell River Whale Watching

Experience some of the most spectacular Orca, Grizzly Bear and Wildlife viewing in the world. The open air concept aboard our safe and comfortable zodiacs enables you to have a smooth ride and allows you to experience the environment at it’s fullest. All guides are expert mariners and certified naturalists whose love and ethical regard for marine wildlife is always evident. View Northern Resident Orca Killer Whales, Black Bears, Dolphins, Porpoise, Eagles, Sea Lions, Humpback Whales, Local and Natural History.

Campbell River Whale Watching is located 90 minutes from Parksville and Tigh-Na-Mara Resort.

campbellriverwhalewatching.com

Jamie's Whaling Station (Tofino)

Operating in the pristine coastal environments of both Tofino and Ucluelet, Jamie’s Whaling Station has been captivating adventure seekers from around the world since 1982! Our waters boast grey and humpback whales, orcas, sea otters, seals, sea lions and a myriad of other fascinating wildlife. Join our experienced and knowledgeable crew for whale watching, bear watching, tours to Hot Springs Cove, kayaking, scenic flights and sunset cruises. Ours is the largest fleet in the area, including comfortable 65’ cabin cruisers and high-speed zodiacs. We have gift shops, lots of free parking – including Motorhome/RV parking- and complimentary dog kennels too!

Jamie’s Whaling Station is located in Tofino, approximately 2 hours from Parksville and Tigh-Na-Mara Resort.

jamies.com

Orca Spirit Adventures (Victoria)

Orca Spirit Adventures offers world class whale watching and marine wildlife tours. The clear, nutrient rich waters of Juan de Fuca and Haro Strait support an amazingly rich and diverse animal ecosystem and have been rated as the best place to view Killer Whales in the wild. Onboard biologists with extensive knowledge of both local waters and marine habitat make this an educational experience you’ll never forget. Choose from either the large Orca Spirit class vessels with their luxurious indoor seating, liquor license, and with onboard washrooms – perfect for seniors, young families or our state of the art zodiac vessels also with onboard washrooms – perfect for the adventurous at heart. Complimentary shuttle service from all downtown locations and free vehicle parking. Reservations are highly recommended. Ask about our “Whale Guarantee."

Orca Spirit Adventures is located in Victoria, approximately 2 hours from Parksville and Tigh-Na-Mara Resort.

orcaspirit.com